Pioneers Battle Late but Fall at Tennessee Wesleyan

Spartanburg Methodist College battled into the final minutes before a late Tennessee Wesleyan surge resulted in an 84–75 setback Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers trailed by just two, 68–66, with 7:57 remaining before the host Bulldogs put together an eight-point run over the next five minutes. SMC pulled back within five, 80–75, when Musa Muriithi finished a layup with 1:19 to play, but Tennessee Wesleyan closed the game at the free-throw line to secure the win.

CJ Terrell delivered a standout performance for Spartanburg Methodist (3–12, 1–7 AAC), finishing with 26 points and 17 rebounds. Terrell scored 18 points in the first half, helping the Pioneers take a 46–42 lead into halftime. Kelton Teasley added 13 points, while Kennedy Aiken-Shannon chipped in 10.

After falling behind 12–2 early, SMC responded with an extended run to take control of the opening half. The Pioneers grabbed their first lead when Calvin Brown knocked down a jumper with 12:16 remaining, putting SMC ahead 18–17. Terrell later pushed the margin to its largest of the game at 43–35 with a free throw at the 2:55 mark before the break.

Tennessee Wesleyan opened the second half with seven straight points to erase a seven-point SMC advantage and tie the game at 49 with 15:56 remaining. The contest remained tight throughout the half, with the Pioneers pulling within one on a pair of Terrell free throws, but SMC was unable to regain the lead down the stretch.

Spartanburg Methodist will look to build on its performance when it returns to the road to face Montreat on Saturday, Jan. 10, with tipoff set for 4 p.m.